Thread: Arm/hand improvement--how?

The most consistent feedback I get on my dancing, when I ask for constructive criticism, is that my arms could improve.

I'm not certain what that means, really (i.e., are they too relaxed, are they too extended, are they too stiff, are they not strong enough, are my wrists bent too much, are my shoulders tense, etc...). But, I do recognize the same in my own videography of myself practicing.

What are the best ways to improve arms/hands? Is there a stellar video out there?

There's nothing for it but practice. I mostly stand in front of a mirror and figure out less-stupid things to do with my hands, then drill them until hopefully they become such second nature that I stop holding my arms in 2nd position for my whole dance, and stop my hands from flipping around like dizzy fish.

I'm with Antimony. Practice is the only way -- with awareness on the arms and energy all the way to the fingertips. Aware of holding the arms from the strength in the upper back, keeping the chest open, shoulders down and back, and the arms flowing, it all goes together.

The one thing that helped me free up my arms when I was having terrible trouble with them was to 'air veil.' When I practice, not when I dance. I pretend I'm holding a big silk veil open behind me, and when I turn or sway or move I want to swish that veil around, toss it, lift it, etc. It helps me tremendously -- makes my arms flow with my my movements rather than moving stiffly from one 'position' to another.

A DVD might be helpful at understanding exactly what's expected of your arms -- but so can watching clips of masters at work. Incorporating awareness of the entire body from fingertips to head to toe has to part of *every* practice session before it will translate into performance, just drilling arms isn't going to do it.

(disclaimer -- My own arms are in a 12-step program to recover from Bad Dancing)

Originally Posted by Lauren_

(disclaimer -- My own arms are in a 12-step program to recover from Bad Dancing)

Mine too ..g.:

Well, it seems like 5 years of practice would have helped by now, but I've struggled with my arms from day 1. At least I'm not alone...

Oh, gosh no, you're not alone!

Arms and upper body posture seems like something we all tackle, somewhere around years 4-8 (except for those who have dance training in other forms, the lucky buggers).

I think recognizing the need is a sign that you're moving to a more refined level as a dancer!

Then I think it's head position, body lines, foot position, and... well, I dunno cuz I'm not there yet.

One thing that has helped me is to take a piece that I'm working on, and do just the arm/hand parts. You go through the whole song just marking the footwork, shimmies, isolations, etc., and focus all of your energy and attention on those buggers.

Originally Posted by Sonja2

The most consistent feedback I get on my dancing, when I ask for constructive criticism, is that my arms could improve.

I'm not certain what that means, really (i.e., are they too relaxed, are they too extended, are they too stiff, are they not strong enough, are my wrists bent too much, are my shoulders tense, etc...). But, I do recognize the same in my own videography of myself practicing.

What are the best ways to improve arms/hands? Is there a stellar video out there?

Maybe you could have your teacher give you specifics on what you need improvement on so you can practice the right way. Are your fingers curled inward, are you not leading with the wrists, do you have a twirly hand, or are they just too busy...knowing what the problem is will help you immensely.

Originally Posted by Sonja2

What are the best ways to improve arms/hands? Is there a stellar video out there?

Well, there's Hands & Arms with Fahtiem. I haven't actually seen the video but I know two months of her classes helped me quite a bit in that area! Still need lots of work though...I like the idea of doing a piece with just the arms.

Originally Posted by damiena

Maybe you could have your teacher give you specifics on what you need improvement on so you can practice the right way. Are your fingers curled inward, are you not leading with the wrists, do you have a twirly hand, or are they just too busy...knowing what the problem is will help you immensely.

Good thinkin'! Or put a clip on Bhuz, we'll tell you what's wrong with you. heh heh

The best advice I've had was from Hadia. This worked great for me. She said think of your arms and hands as Kelp (as in cold water Califonia seaweed). Your hands are the air "bladders" at the top to the kelp strands that hold them up, so they float on the water and sway back and forth gracefully, but, they can rise or lower in the water too. It makes you move your arms with resistance (against the "water") and create graceful lines. I am big on imagery, so like I said, it worked for me.

Originally Posted by nasila

Well, there's Hands & Arms with Fahtiem. I haven't actually seen the video but I know two months of her classes helped me quite a bit in that area! Still need lots of work though...I like the idea of doing a piece with just the arms.

It's a very good dvd, it helped me improve my arms and hands beyond recognition.

If you have the chance to follow a dancer whose arms/hands you like for a couple of hours it can be useful. (S/he also has to be able to improvise in a manner that you can follow her arms - if s/he can't stop throwing in lots of direction changes it becomes too hard for most mortals)

What a relief! I am not the only one who struggles with this. My problem is I need to be more "definite" with my arms. The flow around, but with no rhyme or reason part of the time. I've received feedback on this a few times. Trying to be more conscious of it when I practice and/or perform, as well when I teach I make sure I am very aware of what I am telling my students to do and how so that they don't fall into the same trap as me.

My goal is to "dance with my arms".